16 Day Tour from Calgary to Vancouver

Vacation Overview

Create a lifetime of incredible memories traveling through the Canadian Rockies! Take a snocoach ride on Athabasca Glacier in Alberta, travel across British Columbia on the Rocky Mountaineer train, and enjoy ferry crossings to/from Vancouver Island—these are just a few of the many highlights you’ll experience. Begin in Calgary with sightseeing of Calgary’s major sites. Then, travel to Banff, with time to hike, relax, or to take an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. On the way to Jasper National Park, stop in Lake Louise and marvel at its cold waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. A highlight of your vacation is a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer on the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. Continue on to Jasper National Park, the largest national park in Canada, for two nights. Journey on the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight journey from Jasper National Park to Vancouver through breathtaking scenery. Along the way, see wild rivers, majestic mountain ranges, and beautiful lakes. Upon arrival in Vancouver, sightseeing shows you the city’s major attractions. Then, set sail for Victoria, where you’ll visit world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays. Extend the fun by boarding a Holland America 7-night cruise ship bound for majestic Alaska. Explore the remote and rugged beauty of Alaska, and watch for spouting whales, soaring eagles, barking seals, and other wildlife. Marvel at glaciers and witness the amazing spectacle of thunder and spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and “calve” into the sea. Soak in the local flavor of Juneau, Alaska’s capital, and see the world’s largest totem collection in Ketchikan.

Guides:

Services of a professional Tour Director; crew member service while cruising on Holland America’s MS Volendam or MS Oosterdam.

NOTES:

All RedLeaf travelers should pack an overnight bag for the train journey. Suitcases for SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf travelers will be delivered in Kamloops; suitcases for RedLeaf travelers will be checked and unavailable for the overnight in Kamloops

Cruise itineraries are provided by Holland America Line and are up to date at time of publishing. Your travel documents will contain the most current information.

Day 1Calgary

Enjoy time at leisure. Your Tour Director can answer any questions this evening.

Day 2Calgary–Banff National Park

The discovery of oil converted this cattle ranching town into a thriving, sophisticated city. Guided sightseeing shows off downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rockies into BANFF NATIONAL PARK. Upon arrival, take the optional gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views. Then, visit sparkling Bow Falls.

Day 3Banff National Park

Full day at leisure. Banff is one of Canada’s favorite resorts—your Tour Director will suggest an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies.

Day 4Banff National Park–Lake Louise–Columbia Icefield–Jasper National Park

First stop is Lake Louise, its cold waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and exquisite lakes come into view as the motorcoach scales two mountain passes. Another highlight on today’s agenda is a stop at the COLUMBIA ICEFIELD to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 1,200 feet (365 meters) thick. Late this afternoon, join our optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River. Upon arrival in Jasper, an orientation tour showcases Jasper’s unspoiled beauty. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be in JASPER NATIONAL PARK.

Day 5Jasper National Park

Join the optional narrated cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. On the return journey, you’ll be mesmerized by dramatic Maligne Canyon. With much of the afternoon and evening free, consider hiking or exploring Jasper’s local charm.

Day 6Jasper National Park–Rocky Mountaineer–Kamloops

An exciting morning as you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight, classic rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. En route, pass Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Follow the Thompson River and enjoy vistas of the Monashee Mountains. (CB,L)

Day 7Kamloops–Rocky Mountaineer–Vancouver

Reboard the train and head through the ranchlands along the South Thompson River. Continue through the stark beauty of Fraser Canyon and the turbulence of mighty Hell’s Gate. Then, pass through the fertile fields of the Fraser Valley, surrounded by the snowcapped Coast Mountains. Arrive in Vancouver at the Rocky Mountaineer Station in early evening and transfer to your hotel. (CB,L)

Day 8Vancouver–Ferry Crossing–Victoria

Morning sightseeing focuses on Vancouver’s Chinatown, Gastown, and lovely Stanley Park. Afterward, sail across the Strait of Georgia through the spectacular Gulf Islands, known for its Mediterranean-like climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes world-famous BUTCHART GARDENS, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its collection of totem poles.

Day 9Victoria–Ferry Crossing–Vancouver (Embarkation)

Embark your cruise ship. (D)

Day 10Inside Passage (Scenic Cruising)

The Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. The scenery is unbelievable, with forests in a hundred shades of green and tumbling turquoise glaciers. The Inside Passage is a lifeline to the outside world. (B,L,D)

Day 11Juneau

No roads lead to Juneau. Accessible only by air and water, Juneau is located at the base of two towering mountains in the heart of Alaska’s Inside Passage, and is home to a rich Gold Rush history, Native culture, wildlife, and a wealth of natural wonders. Step ashore to shop for gold nuggets; visit the stately Governor’s Mansion; saunter through the swinging doors at the Red Dog Saloon, the city’s famous watering hole; or visit mighty Mendenhall Glacier, an impressive river of ice that is 12 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. (B,L,D)

Day 12Skagway

Step back in time as you stroll along the town’s wooden sidewalks and step into the Red Onion Saloon, or explore the restored buildings and wooden boardwalks of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. Today you can still ride the antique White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway up past Deadhorse Gulch to see what it was like ages ago. (B,L,D)

Day 13Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising)

This Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in an ever-changing glacial landscape. Witness an amazing spectacle of thunder and flying spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and “calve” into the sea, making for lasting memories. National Park rangers accompany the ship to add expert commentary to the day’s events. (B,L,D)

Day 14Ketchikan

Ketchikan clutches the shores of the Tongass Narrows, with many shops and houses built right out over the water in the town that calls itself the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Experience Native Alaska firsthand. Meet the spirits of the raven, whale, and eagle as you view the largest collection of totems in the world at Saxman Totem Park or Totem Bight State Historic Park. Or explore Creek Street, now home to contemporary art galleries and quaint boutiques.(B,L,D)

Day 15Inside Passage (Scenic Cruising)

Cruise through the awe-inspiring scenery of the Inside Passage. Keep your cameras ready for spouting whales, soaring eagles, and other wildlife. Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous dinner and onboard entertainment. (B,L,D)

Day 16Vancouver (Disembarkation)

Disembark this morning and transfer to Vancouver International Airport for your return flight home. Please schedule flights after Noon. (B)